Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Brandon Robinson-Thompson share the first-round lead at the Qatar Masters, each shooting 66. Neergaard-Petersen rebounded from an opening bogey, making seven birdies, while Robinson-Thompson matched him late with a key birdie on the 8th. Andrea Pavan and Sam Bairstow follow one shot back, with several players close behind as the tournament continues after a delay due to darkness.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Brandon Robinson-Thompson are tied for the lead after round one of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Neergaard-Petersen, recovering from an early bogey, fired a remarkable 66 to set the pace. The 25-year-old Dane, fresh off a successful 2024 season with three wins on the HotelPlanner Tour, showcased his skills despite windy conditions at Doha Golf Club, making seven birdies without a bogey to finish six under par.
Robinson-Thompson matched Neergaard-Petersen’s score later in the day, benefiting from a spectacular 60-foot birdie putt on the 8th hole. Although he broke the course record with a score of 61 last week in Bahrain, Robinson-Thompson missed a crucial birdie opportunity on the 9th, preventing him from taking sole possession of the lead.
Chasing them closely are Italy’s Andrea Pavan and England’s Sam Bairstow, both just one stroke back with scores of 67. Pierre Pineau from France and Armenia’s Jean Bekirian are in contention as well, with play halted at 5:12 PM local time due to darkness, necessitating a restart at 7 AM the following morning.
Darren Fichardt from South Africa also had a solid round, carding a 68 with five birdies against one bogey, placing him in the fifth position. Neergaard-Petersen’s impressive round featured a swift recovery after an opening bogey, quickly scoring birdies at the 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th holes, leading to a strong front nine of 33.
Continuing his momentum, Neergaard-Petersen maintained his birdie streak with conversions at the 10th, another on the 13th from 30 feet, and a final gain at the 14th hole, culminating in his commendable six-under total by the end of the day.
The Qatar Masters is a premier event on the DP World Tour, attracting top golfers from around the world. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen’s performance follows a successful season where he captured three victories on the HotelPlanner Tour, elevating him to the DP World Tour. The tournament format involves multiple rounds, and the leading scores can shift dramatically with changing weather and player performances on each day. This first round sets the stage for the subsequent rounds, where players will compete intensely to secure a favorable position in the standings.
Entering the second round of the Qatar Masters, Neergaard-Petersen and Robinson-Thompson lead the pack, with strong performances that highlight both their skill levels and recent successes. With pursuing players close behind, the competition is expected to remain fierce as the tournament progresses. The early challenge of windy conditions was effectively navigated by the leaders, showcasing their ability to adapt and perform under pressure, setting an exciting stage for the following rounds.
Original Source: www.compleatgolfer.com
